Florida airports awarded more than $896 million in aid due to the coronavirus pandemic
Florida airports will receive more than $896 million to help offset the financial impact of the coronavirus, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday.
Miami International Airport will be awarded the highest amount in the state with nearly $207 million followed by Orlando International at roughly $170 million. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Key West international airports will get roughly $135 million and $21.7 million, respectively.
Larger airports won’t be the only ones receiving the much-needed influx of cash. The funds will be distributed to each of Florida’s 100 airports, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Both Fort Lauderdale and Miami-Opa locka executive airports will each receive $157,000. North Perry Airport and Miami Executive Airport will each get $69,000. Miami Homestead General Aviation will also receive $30,000.
The funds came courtesy of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which was signed into law March 27 and will provide U.S. airports with $10 billion in grants, according to the FAA. U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said part of the money will help airports retain their workforce.
Airports around the globe have suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic. The United States alone saw a 58 percent reduction in the number of scheduled flights during the week of April 13 compared to last year, according to the Official Aviation Guide’s travel data. Germany and Italy, meanwhile, have experienced decreases of more than 90 percent.
Globally, the number of scheduled flights has fallen roughly 64.1 percent, the OAG reports.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 6:14 PM.
